France drop Bastareaud

France dropped Mathieu Bastareaud from their Six Nations squad yesterday, shortly after the centre was given a threeweek suspension for using anti-gay language.

He was replaced in an initial 32-man squad by Jonathan Danty, just two hours after being selected by coach Jacques Brunel for the tournament opener against Ireland on 3 February.

Ba stare aud was punished for an anti-gay slur during Sunday’s European Champions Cup match when playing for Toulon. Tournament organisers opened an investigation after he was accused of directing the slur at Italy forward Sebastian Negri, appearing to call him a “f***ing f*****”.

Brunel was naming his first squad after replacing Guy Noves, who was sacked last month. France squad: Forwards: Eddy Ben Arous, Yacouba Camara, Camille Chat, Paul Gabrillaugues, Cedate Gomes Sa, Kevin Gourdon, Guilhem Guirado, Arthur Iturria, Anthony Jelonch, Felix Lambey, Wenceslas Lauret, Sekou Macalou, Jefferson Poirot, Dany Priso, Rabah Slimani, Marco Tauleigne, Christopher Tolofua, Sebastien Vahaamahina Backs: Mathieu Bastareaud, Anthony Belleau, Henry Chavancy, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Brice Dulin, Antoine Dupont, Benjamin Fall, Matthieu Jalabert, Remi Lamerat, Maxime Machenaud, Geoffrey Palis, Morgan Parra, Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa